Overview

Mount Diablo, one of the big three in the Bay Area, with Mt Tam and Mt Hamilton. Yet of the three
it is by far the longest sustained effort. In Low-Key's past, we've climbed the south side of
the mountain, the one used by the Mt Diablo Challenge held early each October, and the Devil Mountain
Double each April. This year, we tackle
the north side. In July, the Contra Costa Cycling Club promoted an excellent time trial up
the bare slopes of North Gate Road. However, logistical limitations prevented the race from finishing
the job up Summit. Even though the 1800 vertical feet of that race is a sizeable climb, rivaled by
few others in the Bay area, there was a feeling of unfinished business about it. Low Key finishes the job.
We go all the way, all the way to the final 250 meters whose 15% grade tests the will already drained
by the efforts of the preceding well over 3000 vertical feet.

Although the effort to climb Diablo is substantial, the view from the summit is worth it, and worth
all the more by the effort it took to reach it. Can the experience be rivaled by motor-borne siteseers?
Hardly. At the top, making eye contact with one of those who drove there, you smile to yourself, thinking they
cannot possibly understand.